Wheel structure



June 25, 1929. J. G. SWAIN WHEEL STRUCTURE Filed April 20, 1922 Josqh G. Swain Patented June 25, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH G. SWAIN, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRESTONE STEEL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

WHEEL STRUCTURE.

Appncation filed Api-i1 zo,

My invention relates to improvements in wheels of the type that includes a demountable tire carrying rim.

rlhe invention is directed broadly toward providing `an improved structure over that disclosed in my copending application, Serial Number 502,328 filed September 22, 1921, Patent No. 1,649,772, November 15, 1927. i

Specifically it comprehends an improved form of split rim for use with straight side tires, a felloe particularly adapted to support the `rim, and afastening structure especially designed for cooperation with this specific character of rim and felloe to secure them in assembled relation.

Other objects and advantages, such as the provision of a light easily assembled equipment, which possesses the requisite rigidity and lightness of structure, will hereinafter appear and the nature of the invention will be more fully understood when the following description is read in conjunction with the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specilication.

In the drawings: t

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of wheel embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1L Figure 3 is a similar view, taken on `the line 3 3 of Figure 1. V

Figure l is also a transverse sectional view, taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan. view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating a detail of the rim construction; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, also on an enlarged scale, illustrating a detail of construction of the felloe.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the rim, 2 the felloe, 3 the fastening devices or clamps, and 4 the spokes of the wheel7 embodying the essential features of my invention which will now be described in detail.

The rim 1 embodies a tire supporting annulus 1a, and vertically disposed tire retain ing edge flanges 1l and 1c respectively, which are formed integrally with the rim and constructed for cooperation with the bead portion of a straight side tire. The annulus l is slightly concave in transverse section as is wsu..` in rims of this variety, and at its 1922. Serial No. 555,722.

juncture with the flanges l" and 1U shaped to provide rounded edge portions 1 respec tively upon the annulus. Adjacent one of its edges 1, the annulus provided with a circumferential bead 10, upon its inner perijiiheral face. The bead 1e is offset from the adjacent rounded edge portion 1 in such manner that an annular shoulder 1e' is provided by said portion. The inner face of the bead 1e, in transverse section, presents a transversely straight annular seating surface 1h that, in cross-section, is inclined toward its juncture with the side face 1r thereof and toward Athe axis of the wheel.

The rim 1 is split transversely, as at 1i and suitable locking means 1j are utilized for securing the ends thereof in alnitting relation as shown indotted lines in Figure 5. rlhe locking means, per se, forms no part of the present invention and tllerefore needs no further description herein. Preferably the type of valve stem inlet, shown in Figure 3, is utilized in the present instance. This device comprises a radially disposed cuil' 1k reamed into an opening 1I iu the rim. It is fully described in my aforesaid copending application. i

The felloe 2, comprises a transversely flat annulus 2 designed to be supported `upon the spokes 4 in any suitable manner. Preferably the annulus is provided with radially disposed rounded sockets which receive correspondingly shaped knobs 4t at the ends of the spokes as shown in Figure f1. This feature likewise forms, per se, no part of the invention and is merely illustrative of one manner of accomplishing a fixed relation between the spokes and the felloe. The annulus 2iL is provided with vertically disposed edge flanges designated respectively 2" and 2c which are adapted to support the aforesaid rim thru engagement with one rounded edge 1 thereof and. the annular seating surface lh previously described. To this end the flange 2b is provided with a peripheral surface that is inclined in coincidence with Asaid surface 1h of the rim, to form an annular seat 2l therefor. Preferably the portion of the flange 2b adjacent `the seat 2 is increased in thickness in the direction of the outer side of the flange to form a bead portion 2o as shown in. Figures 2, 3, and 4E. The flange 2c is arovided with a laterally offset iortion 2 t. at overhangs said flange and :orme an annular seat fer its adjacent edge of the yrim .1. In 'transverse section the portion 2e is shaped to present an oblituely disposed slightly concave portion 25a apted .to receive .theinner ,peripheral edge of .the rim. At its extreme edge `the 'ob'li'quely disposed concave surface 2g terminates in a -lip portion 2h of relatively shortercurvature that forms a seat conforming in contour to the rounded edge ld of the rim.

felloe upon tightening of the clamp.

Flanges 2b and 2 are provided with transversely aligned apertures` 2i which .are designed to receive threaded bolts 2j, .that are preferably shouldered as at 2k adjacent their threaded end 2l .to serve ras an abutment or spacer which prevents the collapse of tl valve receiving Acuff `2 is 'provided in the Afelloe for radial alignment with the atoresaid cuif'f lk :in the rim. The cuff 2* is designed to cooperate with the aforesaid cuff 1k, as shown in Figure 3, fto .prevent relative circumferential movement of the rim and .felloe A clamp of :theicharacter shown in Figure Y 2, `is utilized in conjunction With the aforevsaid Eloolts 21' to securethe rim and felloe 1n assembled relatlon.

Each clamp is `provided with an `aperture 3fL lto receive one of vthe lbolts 2j.

In cross-section, one end of the clamp is formed with a concave obliquely disposed seat 3b designed vto seat against the convex side face l of the bead l. The portion 3b adjoins a relatively sharp nose portion 3C designed to seat at the juncture of said face l'f and the adjacent rounded vedge of the rim. The opposite end of each clamp 3 is provided With a laterally extending lug 3d adapted vto abut the flange 2b, and a relatively longer llaterally projecting lug 3e upon each side of the 'lug 3d designed to be received in -apertures 2. The apertures 2 are disposed in the 1lange2b of the felloe in the manner shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. This application is a continuation in part vof my co-pending application Serial No. 550,005 tiled April 6, 1922 as to this type of rim mounting and clamp.

The foregoing has been found to eonstitute an easily assembled equipment whereby a vsplit demountahle rim may be securely aix'ed to a metal felloe and readily removed therefrom. The structure is easy to manufacture and is durable, while at the same Etime it combines lightness with the maximum rigidity requisite in wheels of this type.

Although :in describing the details of my invention, I have necessarily utilized certain specific terms, it is to be understood that the disclosure is illustrative in nature, and is not to be construed as in any way limiting the scope or spirit of the invention Aunless such limitations are particularly expressed in the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A wedge lug having a short fulerum lprojection at its bottom, a perforation for a bolt at its center, and supporting lugs on Yopposite sides of the )erforation which project lin a direction su )stantially tangent `to the arc in which the lugr swings about the fulcrum projection.

2. A wedge lug having a short fulerum projecting at its bottom, a rim-engaging backvvardly and upwardly sloping wedge surface at its top, and intermediate inwardly project-ing supporting lugs.

3. In combination, a channel felloe comprising a 'base and radially extending side flanges, one of said flanges being provided With apertures therethrough, a demountable rim on said felloe, clamp members engagimlr said rim, each clamp member fulerumed at jacent said base and provided with lugs extending laterally from its intermediate portion -for engaging the apertures in said flange for supporting one edge of said rim, and means for clamping said clamp members against said rim.

JOSEPH G. SVVAIN. 

